Ft. Wilderness Cabins becoming DVC?

[Lorana]

And the margins on doing so are better than normal. Everything shouts "DVC CFW makes sense".

And yet they left it off the slide

I agree with this, but being left off the slide is concerning. I’m still weeping over the loss of Reflections, and pet friendly DVC cabins was a nice conciliation prize, but I feel like Disney keeps raising and dashing my hopes.

One can dream it’s not mentioned because they decided to bring back Reflections in FY2026???? (Ha ha ha, I know; they won’t, but one can dream).

 

[Sandisw]

I agree with this, but being left off the slide is concerning. I’m still weeping over the loss of Reflections, and pet friendly DVC cabins was a nice conciliation prize, but I feel like Disney keeps raising and dashing my hopes.

One can dream it’s not mentioned because they decided to bring back Reflections in FY2026???? (Ha ha ha, I know; they won’t, but one can dream).

Or, maybe its not far enough along that they aren't sure if it will stay 2024 or go to 2025? It does seem odd that it would be gone after just announcing in April

 

[Mikey15]

Or, maybe its not far enough along that they aren't sure if it will stay 2024 or go to 2025? It does seem odd that it would be gone after just announcing in April

I guess people are just concerned because it was announced in a single post, and there is basically nothing official showing up on the DVC site, nor was it in recent shareholder slides?

I know it's technically replacing existing cash accommodations with DVC so there's not as much fanfare as a brand new resort, but isn't there normally something more to point to?

 

[Sandisw]

I guess people are just concerned because it was announced in a single post, and there is basically nothing official showing up on the DVC site, nor was it in recent shareholder slides?

I know it's technically replacing existing cash accommodations with DVC so there's not as much fanfare as a brand new resort, but isn't there normally something more to point to?

There has been only one official announcement for Poly tower… which was a March 2022.

The next offical document it showed in was the DVC Condo slide in Dec 2022.

And this new slide is the third. So, to be honest, it’s not surprising to have seen nothing else for the cabins yet.

Heck, They didn’t announce BLT was DVC until a year before it opened even when you could see the building!!!

 

[maui22]

Could Disney be up to a new pattern (at least in the MK area)?

VGF started with the typical room types. Then they added on BPK giving it more studios.
PVB they started with studios and bungalows. Disclosure: no clue if tower will be same association or a different than PVB. They are are definitely adding the more typical room types to the tower at Polynesian.

What are the chances Reflections is built after CFW and Polynesian tower? It would provide Disney a chance to add full room types to a CFW association or make it a second association but share amenities and costs.

 

[Sandisw]

Could Disney be up to a new pattern (at least in the MK area)?

VGF started with the typical room types. Then they added on BPK giving it more studios.
PVB they started with studios and bungalows. Disclosure: no clue if tower will be same association or a different than PVB. They are are definitely adding the more typical room types to the tower at Polynesian.

What are the chances Reflections is built after CFW and Polynesian tower? It would provide Disney a chance to add full room types to a CFW association or make it a second association but share amenities and costs.

Hard to tell. I personally don’t think the decisions for VGF or Poly tower were guided by balancing the resort, even if that is the outcome.

BPK was a quick flip to add hotel style rooms for influx of new sales. Don’t think they really cared because they could have made real studios and a few other room sizes if they wanted true balance.

Poly tower may have been a substitute for Reflections and I believe the cabins fell in DVCs lap.

But, it is possible they will end up bring back Reflections but my thought would be they’d want to do a DVC at a different location instead…maybe the front entrance Epcot resort that has rumored for years.

 

[Stargazer65]

maybe the front entrance Epcot resort that has rumored for years.

I sooooooo hope they build that. That way I can post a thread telling everyone to "Please,,,,,Stop calling all other resorts EPCOT resorts."

 

[BeachClub2014]

Hard to tell. I personally don’t think the decisions for VGF or Poly tower were guided by balancing the resort, even if that is the outcome.

BPK was a quick flip to add hotel style rooms for influx of new sales. Don’t think they really cared because they could have made real studios and a few other room sizes if they wanted true balance.

Poly tower may have been a substitute for Reflections and I believe the cabins fell in DVCs lap.

But, it is possible they will end up bring back Reflections but my thought would be they’d want to do a DVC at a different location instead…maybe the front entrance Epcot resort that has rumored for years.

I tend to agree. There's often discussion here on the Dis about "balancing" the room configuration of some of the resorts, which are already sold out. I just don't envision a scenario where DVD is too concerned about sold-out resorts but rather may learn from their previous decisions relative to types of rooms included in a resort and moving forward, not repeat what they perceive as a mistake.

 

[Genie+]

While I haven’t exactly done a hard-nosed comparison of Riviera (WDW’s last new construction tower) and Poly tower, I did look up what Riviera looked like in Aug 2018.

https://wdwnt.com/2018/08/photos-disneys-riviera-resort-construction-update/

It wouldn’t open for guests until Dec 2019.

Granted Poly tower appears to be built on a smaller footprint and probably fewer units to finish, but I still think absent evidence to the contrary that it’s far more likely we’ll see cabins replaced and reopened months before Poly Tower opens.

RIV was also connected to the Skyliner timeline. It opened in Oct, then RIV in Dec which makes sense they’d want to iron out wrinkles before the first reviews of DVC’s shiny resort.

Could Disney be up to a new pattern (at least in the MK area)?

VGF started with the typical room types. Then they added on BPK giving it more studios.
PVB they started with studios and bungalows. Disclosure: no clue if tower will be same association or a different than PVB. They are are definitely adding the more typical room types to the tower at Polynesian.

What are the chances Reflections is built after CFW and Polynesian tower? It would provide Disney a chance to add full room types to a CFW association or make it a second association but share amenities and costs.

Even without considering the balance, it does show willingness to release DVC in stages even at one resort.



As far as FWC not being included, who knows why it was left off. Most though not all of these are pretty big projects. Maybe for something this size and not having clear details to release, it didn’t make the cut. Does say list not exhaustive.

Might be better to hold off until more could be shared or IF there’s tentative plans to expand beyond the cabins, not post it in the big picture until more can be revealed.

 

[Doberge]

What are the chances Reflections is built after CFW and Polynesian tower? It would provide Disney a chance to add full room types to a CFW association or make it a second association but share amenities and costs.

Pretty good chance something will eventually be built on that site, although maybe not exactly Reflections. The cabins could be the first step or entirely separate. Proximity wise the Reflections is closer to Wilderness Lodge than the cabin loops, but anything could happen and maybe they are tied under the Fort Wilderness brand. With the distance, it could be similar to how the Saratoga treehouses are part of Saratoga Springs.

I feel like some decisions at FW were made when they were expecting Reflections to open. For example, I could be convinced that the Trail's End conversion to quick service was a decision made years ago when there was an expectation that FW folks could just go to Reflections for table service dining, and when Reflections didn't happen on schedule the Trail's End change still happened for other economical reasons.

Unrelated to above, but it'd be a fun incentive to include a free golf cart for length of stay to folks who sign up within the opening period.

 

[maui22]

Pretty good chance something will eventually be built on that site, although maybe not exactly Reflections. The cabins could be the first step or entirely separate. Proximity wise the Reflections is closer to Wilderness Lodge than the cabin loops, but anything could happen and maybe they are tied under the Fort Wilderness brand. With the distance, it could be similar to how the Saratoga treehouses are part of Saratoga Springs.

I feel like some decisions at FW were made when they were expecting Reflections to open. For example, I could be convinced that the Trail's End conversion to quick service was a decision made years ago when there was an expectation that FW folks could just go to Reflections for table service dining, and when Reflections didn't happen on schedule the Trail's End change still happened for other economical reasons.

Unrelated to above, but it'd be a fun incentive to include a free golf cart for length of stay to folks who sign up within the opening period.

Feels like Disney is trying to build different eras or styles but still fitting into the overall thme.

At Polynesian, longhouses represent historically traditional style. New tower represents modern construction but slight features to give it a slightly Polynesian feel.

I see the whole Wilderness area as a chance at the best theme. CCV and BRV the great western lodge feel. CFW/FWC will add the more outdoors feel where neighbors are not on top of each other. Reflections (or whatever they eventually build) could be a modern western hotel.

I even see RIV area as another opportunity. After it is sold out, take over more CBR and build another European themed resort in the area.

Probably wishful thinking on my part. I prefer this approach to really large DVC with the same exact theme for 6+ million points.

 

[Jwaire]

The Krieger's visit Fort Wilderness and give us an update on the cabins and Reflections construction site.

 

[Cybertruck]

Another great DVC Video from Amy and Paul! Loving the on site location and content. Not every show needs to a round table discussion in a studio. What troopers for braving a warm August day wondering around FWC. Next time you are back at FWC you need to bring the gang back together on a Golf Cart answering listener questions. Surrey Bike is a classic, waiting for Part 3!

 

[pinkxray]

I wish they would announce when this is happening.My kids keep asking to stay in one of the cabins but I am so hesitant to pay $550/$600 cash a night when I can book a one bedroom at Copper Creek on points and take the super quick bus ride to FW to get in some fort time.

 

[Straulin]

Hard to tell. I personally don’t think the decisions for VGF or Poly tower were guided by balancing the resort, even if that is the outcome.

BPK was a quick flip to add hotel style rooms for influx of new sales. Don’t think they really cared because they could have made real studios and a few other room sizes if they wanted true balance.

Poly tower may have been a substitute for Reflections and I believe the cabins fell in DVCs lap.

But, it is possible they will end up bring back Reflections but my thought would be they’d want to do a DVC at a different location instead…maybe the front entrance Epcot resort that has rumored for years.

Oooooo… I hadn’t heard of that! They can go ahead and take my money if they do a new walkable Epcot resort.

 

[Jwaire]

The company is in so much trouble, I don't see a new ground up resort being built anytime soon.

However, they may revisit Yacht Club next as that's a high demand area with declining business/conference travelers.

For what it's worth, a Fort Wilderness super fan (and who has been right before) on another forum has said around 50 cabins will be kept for cash stays. That should satisfy those that don't want to get involved with DVC, but love the Fort's cabins.

 

[Sandisw]

The company is in so much trouble, I don't see a new ground up resort being built anytime soon.

However, they may revisit Yacht Club next as that's a high demand area with declining business/conference travelers.

For what it's worth, a Fort Wilderness super fan (and who has been right before) on another forum has said around 50 cabins will be kept for cash stays. That should satisfy those that don't want to get involved with DVC, but love the Fort's cabins.

The announcement did seem to indicate there would be cabins for cash guests so this makes sense.

And, what we have seen with both RIV and AUL, where a strong cash presence exists, is that DVD seems fine with letting sales take what they take.

It’s why I have to wonder if that idea will have played any role in what happens with the tower at Poly.

 

[MissLiss279]

Disney Applies for Timeshare License to Sell Fort Wilderness Cabins​

 

[CarolynFH]

Disney Applies for Timeshare License to Sell Fort Wilderness Cabins​

I am truly happy to hear this project will proceed. DH and I make leisurely visits now, with less park time and more resort time, and I think these cabins will be excellent for relaxing!

 

[maui22]

Earlier this week, I was talking with a family about DVC. Had no idea they were a Disney family.

I believe a key factor for them will be how many these new cabins sleep. If they sleep 6 with point charts close to existing 1BR, I believe Disney will have buyers in them.

Going to see this family tomorrow, so I am going to let them know about this. Their daughter is in a Disney wedding in April 2024, so timing of these points going on sale would be perfect for them.